Weather is a constant and powerful force in our lives, often linked to deities and legends since ancient times.
While familiar with common weather events like rainstorms and tornadoes, there are even stranger and less-known phenomena that occasionally remind us of our small place in the universe. Explore these unique weather occurrences, stay curious, and share these incredible stories with your friends!
A Rapidly Receding Tide
If you ever witness a rapid and extreme low tide while walking on a Pacific Ocean beach, don’t linger in amazement. Seek higher ground immediately, as this phenomenon could signal an impending tsunami.
Tsunamis result from underwater earthquakes, displacing water and causing a sudden and destructive rush of waves, traveling at speeds of up to 500 miles per hour. Swift evacuation is crucial for safety!
Green Skies
Green skies may seem picturesque, but they can signal imminent severe weather. When a thunderstorm appears green, it suggests a towering thundercloud with the potential for hail or even a tornado.
This green hue results from the blend of blue light from the storm and red light from the setting sun. Stay vigilant when you observe such skies!
Fire Whirl
Tornadoes are undeniably terrifying, but there’s something even more horrifying: a tornado made entirely of flames. Imagine a literal inferno on Earth! These fiery twisters go by the names “fire whirls” or “fire devils,” and their monikers are fittingly ominous.
They draw debris into their fiery vortex, causing everything engulfed to smolder in their intensely hot core. While they may resemble tornadoes, fire whirls form for entirely different reasons, typically requiring an existing fire. Their nightmarish nature remains unchanged despite these distinctions.
Mammatus Clouds
Clouds are already strange, but there’s an eerie feeling when you encounter a cluster of gloomy mammatus clouds overhead. Their gooey appearance often precedes a thunderstorm due to internal turbulence.
The otherworldly vibe they emit might even make skeptics question alien encounters. If you spot mammatus clouds, seek shelter promptly, as they signal an impending lightning storm about to unleash its fury in the sky. Stay safe!
Green Flash
Have you ever witnessed the sun descending below the ocean’s horizon and suddenly caught a peculiar green flash, if only for an instant? This intriguing occurrence is aptly named the “green flash.” When observed perfectly, it can resemble an otherworldly green beam piercing the sky.
To witness it, exercise extreme caution and focus solely on the sun right as it’s about to vanish. Any earlier, and your eyes won’t perceive the green flash. This task is undoubtedly easier said than done!
Aurora Borealis
You might recognize those ethereal green glows in the sky as the “Northern Lights,” but their true name is the Aurora Borealis. This captivating natural light display is most frequently seen in Arctic regions.
The science behind the Northern Lights is intricate, but in essence, they result from the collision of different gas molecules with solar winds in Earth’s atmosphere, producing the distinct green hue that photographers worldwide aspire to capture one day.
Aurora Australis
While Aurora Borealis is widely known, have you heard about its southern counterpart, Aurora Australis? These mesmerizing light displays occur for the same reasons as the Northern Lights. However, the Southern Lights have a unique advantage –
they often grace warmer climates like the southernmost regions of New Zealand and Tasmania. Of course, you can also witness the Aurora Australis in Antarctica, but embarking on a journey there can be quite challenging and costly.
Lenticular Clouds
When someone spots a flying saucer, there are numerous potential explanations. Of course, the possibility of aliens is one, and in recent years, the U.S. government conducting unusual aircraft tests is another. A surprisingly reasonable third option is the presence of peculiar UFO-shaped formations called lenticular clouds.
Just look at them; wouldn’t they give you pause if you encountered one? Lenticular clouds remain stationary, adding to their enigmatic appearance, and they are commonly found in mountainous regions.
White Rainbow
The idea of a white rainbow does sound like something out of a magical realm, reminiscent of Galadriel’s powers in Lord of the Rings, right? These rare phenomena, also known less elegantly as “fog bows,” occur under misty conditions rather than rain, sun, or moonlight.
The light appears white due to the minuscule droplets, which result in less vibrant light reflections. If you’re determined to witness one in person, best of luck, as they are indeed quite rare. However, you might have a chance in the cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica, or they’ve been spotted near Yosemite Falls as well.
Penitentes
If you ascend to high altitudes, especially in South America, you might come across peculiar formations known as penitentes—thin, sharp, and spiky-looking blades of ice. The name, derived from Spanish, means “penitent-shaped snows,” as these snow spikes can resemble a gathering of people kneeling in penance, wearing hooded robes akin to the Processions of Penance. Interestingly, penitentes aren’t exclusive to Earth;
they also exist on Europa, one of Jupiter’s satellite moons, where they can reach heights of up to 50 feet!
Supercell
While the name “supercell” may evoke thoughts of a low-budget B-movie, the reality is far more terrifying. Supercells, as depicted in the image above, are indeed as menacing as they appear. Simply put, a supercell is among the most destructive storms one can encounter.
It occurs when a thunderstorm traps a powerful updraft known as a mesocyclone, causing significant damage in its path. Notably, the primary area of concern for encountering these storms is in the region known as the U.S.A.’s “Tornado Alley.”
Orange Snow
Frank Zappa once cautioned about watching out for yellow snow, but what about orange snow? The image above may seem like a vintage winter photo in sepia tones, but in reality, the snow is as orange as it appears. This unusual event occurred in Eastern Europe in 2018 when dust from North Africa’s Sahara Desert was carried northward, imparting its color to the snowfall.
This transformed the landscape into a Mars-like skiing destination. Oddly enough, such occurrences have been reported sporadically, with the earliest known incident dating back to 1755. Quite peculiar!
Cappuccino Coast
Imagine living on the beach, stepping outside with your morning latte in hand, only to find the ocean looking like the frothy milk in your cup. This phenomenon is known as the “cappuccino coast,” and while it may resemble milk, it’s far from it.
The white foam consists mainly of decomposed fish, salt, chemicals, and other unsavory elements churned together by ocean currents. So go ahead, enjoy the sight of the foam, but be sure to take a shower afterward. Yuck!
Sahara Snow
Usually, the Sahara Desert is the epitome of dry, scorching heat, particularly during the daytime. However, in January 2018, residents of a small village in Algeria were in for a surprise when they looked outside and saw the renowned red sand dunes covered in white.
This sight was indeed as unusual as it appeared. Snowfall in the Sahara has become increasingly frequent in recent years, a phenomenon attributed to climate change. A similar event had also occurred in 2016.
Snow Doughnuts
There’s a weather phenomenon that seems like a playful joke: snow doughnuts. While the snow formations above may resemble something a child crafted on a day off from school, they are entirely natural and occur on mountains under very specific atmospheric conditions.
These formations then roll downhill, just as you might imagine. The doughnut-like shape emerges as wind pushes out the weak, fragile layers of snow from the center.
Freezing Rain
Freezing rain is a familiar yet peculiar weather phenomenon. It occurs when ordinary rain falls onto a frigid surface, causing the droplets to freeze and create a beautiful, icy coating over leaves, grass, power lines, and more.
While it may be aesthetically pleasing, freezing rain is highly hazardous. Anyone who has slipped on it or experienced a car accident because of it can attest to its danger.
Volcanic Lightning
While we’re accustomed to lightning originating from clouds, it’s fascinating to note that lightning can also burst forth from a volcanic eruption. Volcanic lightning occurs when particles of volcanic ash are ejected, resulting in static electricity generation through collisions, ultimately creating electrifying bursts.
The visual impact is as stunning as it appears, but it’s not any less perilous. This phenomenon is often referred to as a “dirty thunderstorm,” although such a label hardly does justice to something so unusual and awe-inspiring.
Waterspouts
After witnessing air tornadoes and fire tornadoes, have you ever wondered about water tornadoes? They indeed exist and are known as waterspouts. Unlike their land-based counterparts, waterspouts typically lack the same level of violent power.
The Florida Keys are a common location for waterspouts, and they often come with noticeable warning signs like lightning, strong winds, and hail, allowing you to spot them on the horizon.
Sea Meadows
When you have frigid air meeting relatively milder lake water, it can lead to the formation of sea meadows, also known as frost flowers. These delicate, feathery creations, resembling snowflakes, are typically found in Arctic climates.
They usually form on the surface of the water but can accumulate on the ground as well. Undoubtedly, they offer incredible photo opportunities, especially if you rise early in the morning to witness them.
Fallstreak Hole
If Superman were to shoot rapidly into the sky and create a hole in the clouds, it would resemble what’s known as a “fallstreak hole.” This peculiar phenomenon occurs when the water droplets within a cloud freeze into ice crystals, causing the heavier ones to sink, resulting in the distinctive gap observed above.
As strange as it may seem, scientists have yet to fully understand why fallstreak holes form in the precise manner they do, setting aside any Kryptonian explanations, of course.
Square Waves – if you see these, get out of the water
The intricate pattern in the waves might seem nearly impossible for the ocean to create on its own. However, this phenomenon occurs when two wave systems collide with each other.
As captivating as it is to witness in person, it can pose significant dangers for ships, surfers, and swimmers alike.
Sun Pillar
It’s not difficult to envision that legends, including those of a Biblical nature, might have been inspired by individuals gazing at a sunset (or sunrise) and witnessing a vertical column of golden sunlight extending from the prominent sun in the sky.
It indeed appears quite remarkable. In reality, these phenomena known as sun pillars are merely the result of light reflections bouncing off descending ice crystals, particularly in proximity to bodies of water. While their explanation is scientific, there’s no denying their captivating beauty.
Noctilucent Clouds
Noctilucent clouds are radiant, luminous blue formations in the sky, resembling the appearance when one looks up from underwater at the surface. These clouds are primarily created by ice crystals, which, like many other strange phenomena in the sky, reflect light shortly after sunset, producing the peculiar effect observed above.
To witness them firsthand, however, one must be in the right place at the right time, typically during the height of summer in countries like Sweden and Finland.
Belt of Venus
The Belt of Venus, also known as the anti-twilight arch, is a fascinating sight in its own right. However, it becomes even more captivating when you understand its true nature. When people refer to the Belt of Venus, they are describing the pinkish stripe that appears above a blue horizon during certain sunrises or sunsets.
The intriguing part? This stripe is actually the Earth’s shadow. While it’s a relatively common meteorological phenomenon that you’ve likely seen before, it serves as a reminder of the fascinating intricacies of our world and the weather that influences our lives.
Supermoon
Have you ever gazed at the night sky and thought, “That’s the biggest moon I’ve ever seen”? While it may be rare, the moon can indeed appear significantly larger than usual, and there’s a perfectly scientific explanation for this phenomenon.
It occurs when a full moon coincides with the moon’s closest approach to Earth in its orbit. This particular moon may also appear bright red due to the sun’s reflection and the angle at which we observe it at that specific moment.
Halo
Sometimes, when you gaze up at the sky, you might witness an enchanting ring encircling the sun. Legends often attribute this unusual phenomenon, commonly known as a “halo,” to a warning from God about an impending storm.
While this can sometimes be the case, it isn’t always so. Halos, also known as cirrostratus clouds, are actually formed by countless tiny ice crystals that reflect sunlight, creating this pleasingly circular shape in the sky.
Red Moon
The blood moon, a rare celestial event, is steeped in mythology across cultures and often seen as a harbinger of the apocalypse. While these lunar occurrences can appear awe-inspiring and ominous, their true cause is far less sensational. The red hue is simply the result of Earth’s shadow casting onto the lunar surface.
Blood moons are infrequent, so if you wish to witness the next one, mark your calendars for May 26, 2021, in Asia, the Pacific, and Australia, or May 16, 2022, in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, and keep your eyes on the skies.
Ball Lightning
Ball lightning, the phenomenon of glowing energy spheres that can appear during thunderstorms and seemingly move through walls, appear inside airplane cabins, or even cause injuries, has been the subject of disbelief and fascination for centuries, with stories dating back to Ancient Greece.
It wasn’t until the 20th century that scientists were genuinely convinced of its existence. However, despite several decades of study and even laboratory attempts to recreate it, researchers remain uncertain about the true causes of ball lightning. It’s a reminder that the natural world can be incredibly mysterious and enigmatic, adding to the wonder of our world.
Moonbow
Rainbows are indeed beautiful and iconic, but have you heard about moonbows? Moonbows, as the name suggests, offer a captivating alternative to their colorful counterparts. They are quite rare and particularly challenging to observe.
To witness a moonbow, you need to be in the right place at the right time, typically about two hours after sunset or before sunrise. However, if you are fortunate enough to spot one, it’s an experience that will stay with you as a memory of a lifetime.
Wall Cloud
Wall clouds, which hang much lower in the sky than regular clouds, are situated within the zone of the strongest updraft within a storm. A rotating wall cloud can potentially give rise to a tornado, and many large tornadoes originate from these formations.
Therefore, if you ever find yourself facing a wall cloud, it’s a clear sign that you should seek shelter immediately to stay safe from the potential tornado and the accompanying damage it can cause.
Rip Currents at the Beach
A channel of turbulent or discolored water flowing away from the shore can be an ominous sign, indicating the presence of a potentially perilous rip current. Rip currents are swift and powerful, making them extremely hazardous for swimmers.
In fact, they are the primary cause of lifeguard rescues in the United States. If you ever get caught in a rip current, it’s crucial to swim parallel to the shore rather than trying to fight against it. This method will help you break free from the strong current and reach safety.
Sharks Congregating in Deep Waters
Seeing a group of sharks swimming toward deeper ocean waters is not a common sight for most people, unless you’re a scuba diver or researcher. However, if you happen to witness such an occurrence, it could be an indicator of a large tropical storm approaching.
Sharks possess the ability to sense changes in barometric pressure, which tends to drop as a storm approaches. Just like humans, they have no desire to be caught in a storm, and they instinctively seek safer waters when they detect these changes.
Cracked Snow Underfoot
When you’re in the mountains and notice that the snow beneath your boots is cracking, it could be a sign of an impending avalanche. Pay close attention to whether the snow feels hollow, if the recent temperatures have been warmer, or if there has been increased precipitation.
If any of these factors apply, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and consider evacuating the area to reduce the risk of an avalanche.
Streaks in the Sky
Streaks in the sky, known as “inflow bands,” serve as another indicator from Mother Nature that a tornado might be approaching. Meteorologists often rely on these bands to determine when to issue warnings to the public regarding an impending storm.
Inflow bands form as the storm draws in low-level air from a considerable distance away, and they can provide valuable insights into the development of severe weather conditions.
